Schmeva

Hi all,

We are hopefully moving to Sydney from London in Jan 2010. I'm originally from Perth and married a Brit so been living in the UK for 10 years. Problem is that I've been spoiled with Marks and Spencer, mostly the food. I love it for being fresh and easy if I'm too tired to cook from scratch and also for the kids meals.

This may be a silly question coming from an native Aussie, but is there an Australian equivalent to M&S? I've been away for so long and when I am back I shop at Coles, IGA and Woolworths but cant seem to find decent pre-prepared food.

Don't get me wrong, I love cooking from scratch and Australian food is as fresh as it comes, but it would be nice to know!!!

Cant wait to move across though, M&S or no M&S!!!

suebrennan

Lots of stuff I love about Oz but food shopping is not one of them. I am exactly like you in that I love M&S and buy almost all my food there.

The answer is YES - I have lived in Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns and Perth and there is absolutely nothing that remotely resembles food shopping in M&S - sorry!

Centurion

The prepackaged food choices in Australia are terrible. However, the quality of the fresh produce I find better.

Be nice to have both

Crystaltipps

I hate to say it but yes, you'll miss M&S (and Waitrose and even Tesco) if you're anything like me.

I spend so much time in the kitchen. Seems to be a big thing here, a lot of the conversation revolves around recipes. Lovely to have unprocessed, healthy food but surely I'm supposed to be enjoying the great outdoors, not chained to the oven !

I also miss the clothes (especially undies and kids')

I've lived in Dubai and Hong Kong, both of which had M&S, sigh....

Kingseat

Yes but they do deliver here but obviously just clothes!

I miss their food, especially at Christmas!

ABCDiamond

Pre-prepared food is something that just wasn't really available here some years ago, but it is slowly becoming more 'fashionable'. However, it still has a long way to go till it becomes like the UK.

Until then, the popular options seem to be: people cook fresh food, or eat out.

AllGoode

David Jones food hall is about as close as you'll get. Lots of alternatives:
http://www.eatability.com.au/au/sydney/

Centurion

Oh you and your proper city ways

Brisbane - like a city, only more backward. I'd love proper food halls where people might be forced to wear shoes

paulaff

I do miss it very much for food and clothes, and Next and other places.... but you make do. Lots of other things to make up for it!

AllGoode

No food hall in any David Jones Qld stores:
http://www.davidjones.com.au/Services/Foodhall

Would gladiator sandals suffice, Centurion?

northernbird

You will miss it big time if you rely on processed packaged foods to feed your family. There is nothing equivalent here.

iamthecreaturefromuranus

I miss the chicken and mayo sub rolls... but as I wasn't professional footballer or 'financial advisor' (surely an oxymoron) I couldn't actually afford the prices to do a weekly food shop there.

northernbird

Other than the sandwiches I have never eaten any processed food from M&S so I don't get the whole ready meal thing.

iamthecreaturefromuranus

Ditto.. sarnies and I think a boned and rolled Christmas turkey one year was about the total of our M&S food shopping as well.

Lord_Farquar

Processed food is everywhere. Coles and Woolies sell plenty of it. It's not just ready meals.